Chest freezer might need new "start unit"

My chest freezer has died but it would cost too much to have someone come in and fix it as it is old and purchased cheaply off Craigslist. An appiance guy I spoke to on the phone said the problem sounded like a dead "start unit" as he called it.

What would it take to replace this start unit? I don't even know the brand of the chest freezer as it is that old and has been painted over a couple times. Are the start units universal?

Any help on this process would be appreciated.

Isn;t a "start unit" basically just a big capacitor?

most hermetic compressors have an external capacitor that does sometimes go bad. it's a $10-20 part and is worth replacing before considering the unit to be scrap.

Does the unit/compressor go buzzzzzzzzz and then click off? If it has a capacitor used to help start then it might be bad. The other possibility is the relay. The capacitor generally has a small round hole by the terminals. If it is bad, then you will get some indication of leakage or something there. It can be checked with an ohm meter. An appliance parts store will generally do this for you.

My start capacitor essentially exploded, I just had to disconnect the old one and put the new one it. The hardest part was finding a place that had one in stock, I think it was in the $40-50 range.

Hermit said:

Does the unit/compressor go buzzzzzzzzz and then click off? If it has a capacitor used to help start then it might be bad. The other possibility is the relay. The capacitor generally has a small round hole by the terminals. If it is bad, then you will get some indication of leakage or something there. It can be checked with an ohm meter. An appliance parts store will generally do this for you.

Click to expand...

yes that is the symptom. sounds like it wants to start then clicks and goes off. I don't know much about this stuff but the compressor is an Embraco "EM40sc".

I am wondering if anyone can post a link to the capacitor that might be needed or just a typical capacitor so I can know what to look for?

Thanks.

GalenSevinne said:

yes that is the symptom. sounds like it wants to start then clicks and goes off. I don't know much about this stuff but the compressor is an Embraco "EM40sc".

I am wondering if anyone can post a link to the capacitor that might be needed or just a typical capacitor so I can know what to look for?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

This gives a rough idea bout what it would look like It is a round plastic two terminal device in most cases. Especially older units.
http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/appliance/refrigerator/check/capacitor.php

You need to pull the old capacitor to get the voltage and mF numbers before you do anything else.

I buy capacitors through A/C supply companies (my father has an A/C license), but you can purchase them at reasonable prices through McMaster. If you pay more than $20 for a residential motor capacitor, you're paying too much.

Hermit said:

This gives a rough idea bout what it would look like It is a round plastic two terminal device in most cases. Especially older units.
http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/appliance/refrigerator/check/capacitor.php

Click to expand...

dang...is it really that dangerous to pull this thing out? I have had the freezer unplugged now for about a month.

GalenSevinne said:

dang...is it really that dangerous to pull this thing out? I have had the freezer unplugged now for about a month.

Click to expand...

Not really. Don't use your tongue to discharge it. Not recommended but always used by techs, place a screw driver between the terminals and see if it sparks. These things USUALLY discharge over time though. If not, they would make great batteries.

Look for a U Fix It type place, they are very helpful.

Some of them are a complete capacitor and relay unit. I just had to replace one on my kitchen fridge and it was $12 with shipping. It might not be round, but a square or rectangle. Look for something hanging off the side of the compressor.

adx said:

Some of them are a complete capacitor and relay unit. I just had to replace one on my kitchen fridge and it was $12 with shipping. It might not be round, but a square or rectangle. Look for something hanging off the side of the compressor.

Click to expand...

The square/rectangle ones are only on newer units as far as I know. Vintage he is talking about is almost certainly cylindrical. IF it even has one. Not all units have start capacitors. The one you mention may well be a run capacitor, something more recent because of efficiency standards.